## **THE ALICE CROSS CENTRE** ## **ANNUAL REPORT** **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024** Company Registration Number 2338079 Charity Registration Number 800996 ## **Trustees Statement** This last year has seen The Alice Cross Centre continue to provide and develop services of the highest quality covering a wide range of activities, events and support services that continue to establish our position as the “go to” community centre for Teignmouth and the surrounding area. We have seen the Centre open its doors to a wide range of age groups, which we have encouraged to help give a better appeal to the community as well as continuing to support the “elder” community of the Teignbridge area. The Centre now offers varied activities for all ages from Mother and toddlers visiting our Community Cafe through to elderly and infirm support meetings. In particular our staff have encouraged the involvement of children from local primary schools to interact with our Memory Café attendees. The Teignmouth Youth Choir and a youth drama group meetings at the Centre have provided more interaction with the younger community. We will continue to encourage this wider community involvement. The Trustees have supported the Medium-Term Plan for 2024– 26, which the Centre team has now engaged with, following the strategic objectives, priorities and the targets set for the Centre development. The Plan embodies the Vision of The Alice Cross Centre to be the community centre of choice for improved health and wellbeing for all, with a Mission to maximise our contribution to the well-being of our community. The Trustees have also encouraged the continued significant investment in the development of the Centre whilst supporting the key personnel and encouraging a steady development of the core services required by the community. The objectives set are based around four guiding pillars of Food, Community, Movement and Mind. Having adopted these, we are seeing that the Centre activities are expanding to meet the needs of the wider community that it now represents. We have seen the proposed future development of the Centre start to take shape, with the installation of the new lift, enabling us to provide much improved access to all 3 floors of the building. We can now consider ways to progress further Centre development to support broadening of the range of community support activities. The Alice Cross Centre Board of Trustees sincerely thank the General Manager, Jackie O’Brien, and our dedicated staff for their continued commitment to improve and develop the Centre activities in line with the aims set out in our plan. The Trustees and the Centre staff can only achieve further success with the continued support of our volunteers, clients and the wider community that we service. We shall continue to work with them all to reach new goals and further develop The Alice Cross Centre as Teignmouth’s “go to” Community Hub. The Alice Cross Centre Board of Trustees June 2024 Page 2 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 ## Centre Manager’s Report I am pleased to report continued income growth this financial year, with a further reduction in our deficit. We continue to invest in our building and were fortunate enough to receive another grant of £45,000 from the Valencia Communities Fund to install a new lift. We haven’t had a working lift in the centre for over 30 years. It is hoped that this will have a really positive impact on the Centre by making the upper floors accessible. We can now provide access for Centre users with disabilities or mobility challenges to services including counsellors, massage and Reiki therapists. Our well-being team have already confirmed that the lift has helped their clients and enabled them to advertise their services as accessible for all. It has also helped our staff move bulky items, which has been very helpful from a manual handling perspective. The lift is also providing us with the opportunity to rearrange our space, subject to successful capital grant applications, to maximise our rental income. This will bring more stability to our charity, particularly in these times of austerity where it is becoming more challenging to access funding. The 42 per cent growth in income from our previous financial year has been due to a 161 per cent increase in grant income and a 73 per cent increase in food donations. Our general donations reduced this year, which I attribute to the cost-of-living crisis we are experiencing. However, this crisis is what has also helped us to access additional grants such as The Cost of Living Fund, (managed by the National Lottery Community Fund), enabling us to deliver our Heat Café project again. We also continue to fundraise creatively, such as our Big Dip for Dementia and have also held some very successful restaurant evenings, which won the Centre a prestigious “Yummy Award” from u3a and helped to put our food on the Teignmouth map. Our Heat Café and Saturday morning Community Breakfast Cafe became core support services during this financial year, as the “donate what you can afford” model we use makes it accessible for everybody, helping to alleviate food poverty. As a warm space during the winter months, with our little free shop stocking warm clothes and blankets, we also supported people with fuel poverty particularly those that couldn’t afford to heat their home. As one of our 75 year-old service users said “Your delicious food and having a warm and friendly place to come to helps me so much. I don’t have heating at home apart from a storage heater that doesn’t work. I have a coal fire but don’t use it anymore. Money is really tight since my mortgage payments went up.” We continue our valuable work supporting older people, whilst further developing the Centre as a hub for the whole community, creating opportunities for intergenerational activities and the benefits this provides. Our Memory Café for people with dementia is an important example of this, where local school children sing for the group and show them their school work, providing well-being benefits for all. We have also held some Teen Open Mic nights which have been a great success and a positive way to engage our young people, whilst aiding them to develop their confidence and performance skills in a safe environment. Our Slow Cooker course was so successful last year that we ran an Air Fryer course this year, where a selection of good value and nutritious meals were demonstrated, and attendees were sent home with a bag of ingredients to make the meal at home. Encouraging ways for our service users to save money through energy efficiency, whilst eating nutritious food, is at the heart of these projects. The benefits reach more than the person taking the course as they bring their new skills home to feed their families. 102 people attended this course. It has been another very active year for the whole team, with a packed schedule of events to both raise awareness and funds, including charity days on the Den, St Michaels Flower Festival, our legendary quiz nights, a successful Christmas Lunch, Pre-Loved Sales, Xmas Page 3 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 Market, Eurovision Extravaganza and our D-Day Remembrance Event. Our yoga and Zumba Gold fitness classes are going from strength to strength, and we have introduced a gentle chair exercise class which is well attended. Line Dancing with Viv Wilson has been held here for over 15 years and is much loved by the dancers. Our weekly table tennis sessions have seen an increase in attendance from people with additional needs and it has been a joy watching them integrate and have fun, competing against the other players. It is wonderful to see the Centre being used by many groups including The World Ship Society, The Chess Club, Teignmouth Youth Choir, Dramatically Different Drama Group, Quilters Club and Monday Chat Club. Our rooms are rented by other voluntary sector organisations including Volunteering in Health and League of Friends, and for private parties for children and adults, establishing our position as an accessible community hub for Teignmouth. I look forward to our next phase of consolidation and development, where we aim to stabilise costs, find new ways to increase income, whilst becoming less reliant on grants. The grant environment does seem to be changing and we may face challenges in raising sufficient funds to cover our core costs. We will need to start to look for new sources of core funding to ensure that our increasing range of services can continue to grow. As always, we couldn’t achieve any of this without the support of our dedicated team of trustees, staff and volunteers whom I thank unreservedly for their support. I am also in awe of their dedication and commitment to our services and the warm welcome they share with our service users. Our relationship with our voluntary sector colleagues, partners, donors and funders are very important to us too, and I look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of our community. ## Jackie O’Brien General Manager June 2024 The Pupils of Teignmouth Primary School sing for our Memory Café. ## **1. Introduction to the Centre - Our Story** Page 4 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 Alice Cross was driven by the idea that no-one in Teignmouth should feel lonely. From her early community work after World War One, Alice continually involved herself in helping others in the town. She started small by providing hot meals for a few older people. This led to the formation of “The Teignmouth Old People’s Welfare Committee” in 1950. In 1978 The Alice Cross Centre was built as a meeting place and hub where she continued to work tirelessly until aged 97. It was funded with help from Teignmouth Rotary Club on the site that used to be the old coach station, and it is where we still operate from today. The Alice Cross Centre was set up as a charity and registered at Companies House in 1989, and now with a team of 6 full and part-time staff and a core group of 82 loyal and active volunteers, the Charity continues to uphold the original vision of Alice Cross, to enhance health and wellbeing in the community of Teignmouth, Shaldon and District through a programme of activities and service provision. Our core services still include providing hot meals for older people, plus the whole community, which connects us strongly with Alice’s original vision. **“I still have a lot to give and would rather be doing something I love than sitting at home. I enjoy feeding people and supporting the charity and the team here.”** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Volunteer Chef, Aged 83
Diversity – a Delivering
warm activities &
welcome to courses
Providing
everybody
a safe and
warm place
Q ee
Emotional
support
Providing
advice Supporting the Well-Being of
Our Community
Connecting
to other
services
Outreach
and
Subsidised Feeding
awareness
meals people in
raising
need
Cee
**----- End of picture text -----**
## 2. Mission, Vision, and Core Values - Our MISSION is to maximise our contribution to the well-being of our community. Page 5 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 - Our VISION is to be the community centre of choice for improved health and well-being for all. ## Core Values 1. **Compassion** : We foster a warm and understanding environment where every individual is treated with empathy, dignity, and respect. 2. **Inclusion** : The Alice Cross Centre is open to everyone, ensuring equal access to activities and support, while celebrating diversity and promoting social integration. 3. **Empowerment** : We encourage independence and support individuals in developing confidence, skills, and a sense of purpose in a safe and nurturing space. 4. **Respect** : We value the experiences, backgrounds, and needs of all participants, promoting mutual respect and understanding among community members. 5. **Safety and Wellbeing** : We prioritise the physical, emotional, and mental health of all individuals by creating a safe and supportive environment. 6. **Collaboration** : We work in partnership with community members, carers, and other organisations to provide support. 7. **Dignity** : We uphold the dignity of older and vulnerable people by ensuring they have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, while respecting their autonomy. 8. **Trust** : We aim to build a strong sense of trust between the staff, volunteers, and the community by maintaining transparency, integrity, and reliability in all our services. Our core values offer more than just activities, but also a space of support and connection for those that need it. ## **3. Our Objectives** - We have a Medium Term Plan which sets out our Strategic Objectives, Targets and - Activities for 2024 7. This is summarised below. |**Strategic**
**objective**|**Component**
**objectives**|**Targets**|**Activities**| |---|---|---|---| |**1. Strategy and**
**Planning**
To have agreed
clarity about our
role, purpose and
direction.|• Mission and
Strategic
direction are
clearly
articulated,
approved and
shared.
• Effective
management
team.
• Priorities
identified with
relevant
strategies in
place.
• Effective risk
management and
contingency
planning.|• Strategic
direction and
priorities are
relevant,
challenging but
achievable, and
provide a
framework for
continuous
improvement.
• Medium-term
Plan is effectively
implemented.
• Trustees
represent the
community and
effectively guide
performance.|• Medium-term
Plan prepared
and approved.
• Undertake
regular
performance
reviews and take
action as
necessary.
• Recruit more
Trustees with
relevant skills and
experience.
• Develop and
implement data
collection and
analysis plan.| Page 6 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 |**Strategic**
**objective**|**Component**
**objectives**|**Targets**|**Activities**| |---|---|---|---| ||• Decisions and
activities are
evidence based.|• Measurable
progress towards
our Mission.
• Data collection
and analysis
needs identified
and beingmet.|| |**2. Financial**
**Management**
To achieve
medium term
financial stability
and properly
account for
financial
performance.|• To prepare
robust budgets
and cash flow
forecasts.
• To comply with
all necessary
financial
procedures and
reporting
requirements.
• To maximise
income from all
sources.
• To minimise
operating costs.
• To base decisions
on regular
reviews of
financial
performance, and
profitability of
activities.|• Approved budget
by end of May
each year.
• All transactions
are properly
accounted for.
• Achieve a small
financial surplus.
• Increase revenue
from premises
and services*
by 10%.
Services as per
our annual
accounts are AC
Activities, Bar and
Catering (less
MDS free meals)
• To identify 3 new
donors, including
trusts.
• Introduce regular
donation scheme
to achieve
additional income
of £1000 in 2024-
25, rising by 10%
per year.
• Achieve
fundraising target
of £20,000
• Increase income
from food sales
by 10%, including
increased use of
catering services
by 10%,
measured by
income.
• Increase profits
from food and
beverage sales to|• Budget prepared
and approved.
• Undertake
regular financial
reconciliations.
• Enforce financial
procedures.
• Identify new
funding sources.
• Quarterly
financial reports
prepared by end
of the following
month.
• Annual accounts
prepared and
audited by
December 15th.
• Respond to audit
comments on a
timely basis.| Page 7 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 |**Strategic**
**objective**|**Component**
**objectives**|**Targets**|**Activities**| |---|---|---|---| |||a gross margin of
50% in 2024/25
• Reduce operating
costs to 98% of
income.
• Prepare draft
annual accounts
by30 September.|| |**3. Operations**
Centre operations
are efficient and
effective to
provide the best
service to all
stakeholders.|• Operations are
guided by a full
set of
appropriate
procedures which
are effectively
implemented.
• Optimise
performance of
all staff and
volunteers.
• To offer a wide
range of activities
to different
target audiences,
in line with
community
needs.
• Optimise use of
our facilities.
• Systems,
processes and
equipment are
modern and
efficient.|• To have a full set
of operational
procedures in
place and
effectively
implemented.
• Roles and
responsibilities of
all staff and
volunteers clearly
identified and
effectively carried
out.
• Increase the
numbers and
range of skills of
volunteers.
• Maximise use of
facilities by
increasing
occupancy to
75% based on a
7-day week
availability.
Continuous
improvement of
systems and
processes.|• Continue to
review and
update
operational
procedures and
ensure
compliance.
• Continue to
implement
training
programmes for
staff and
volunteers.
• Review staff and
volunteer
performance on a
regular basis.
• Undertake a
review of
activities and
their target
audiences.
• Identify
opportunities to
increase use of
facilities.| |**4.Participation**
**and Impact**
To maximise
participation and
impact|• To increase the
number and
range of activities
and services
provided.
• To increase the
numbers and
variety/diversity
of participants.
• Maximise the
number of
commercial
activities.|• Annual calendar
of activities in
place by
November 30th.
• Increase number
of activities
provided by 2
each year.
• Increase number
of groups using
the Centre by 2
each year.|• Prepare and
publish calendar
of events.
• Implement an
advocacy plan to
attract new
users.
• Develop and
implement new
activities.
• Undertake
awareness
survey.| Page 8 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 |**Strategic**
**objective**|**Component**
**objectives**|**Targets**|**Activities**| |---|---|---|---| ||• Increase
participation
from younger
people.
• Maximise the
impact of our
food capability.
• Improve access to
the Centre.
• To raise
awareness of the
Centre.
• To undertake
impact reviews
and demonstrate
increased impact.|• Achieve a wider
range of users,
including younger
people.
• Improve
awareness levels
to increase
footfall of users
by a minimum of
5% each year.
• Increase number
of users referred
from social
prescribers to 50
per year.
• Increase
participation of
lower income
groups.
• 1 new
commercial
activity carried
out.
• Marketing
activities are
reaching our
target audience.|• Develop and
implement a
comprehensive
communications
and marketing
plan.
• Increase the
interest in the
Centre by giving
at least 2
presentations to
external groups/
organisations.
• Develop case
studies of
“success stories”.
• Improve access
including parking
and transport.
• Monitor impact
through data
analysis and
surveys.| The Alice Cross Open Day with Volunteers, our Mayor Cate Williams, Colin Barber from Teignmouth Rotary and Robyn Buchanan from Rotary. ## 4. The Team Our Trustees Page 9 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 ath Cy Dan Hawkins Deborah Minett Sue Halfyard Andy Longford Liz Batson Chair Treasurer Sarah Holloway ## Our Staff Jackie O’Brien Alison Fenton Yvonne Lamond Peta Howell Sue Yates Dave Cook General Manager Centre Co-ordinator Volunteer Co-ordinator Marketing & Admin Support Support Worker Chef & F & B Manager The Alice Cross had 6 trustees during the year, with Elizabeth (Lizzie) Batson as Treasurer and Andy Longford as Chair. Sarah Holloway joined the board of Trustees on 13 November 2023 and Lizzie Batson resigned on 13 May 2024. The Alice Cross Team would like to thank Lizzie for her important contribution to the governance and strategic direction of the centre during her time on the board, particularly in her role as Treasurer. The loyal staff team remains the same as last year and includes Nicky Howarth, our Housekeeper. We are also supported by a dedicated team of 75 volunteers who help in all aspects of running the centre. The Centre could not function without our loyal band of volunteers giving an estimated **7,750** hours a year – which would cost **£88,660** , if they were each paid £11.44 an hour. Without their help the Centre would find it almost impossible to function - so a huge thank you to all you wonderful volunteers and a big thank you to our dedicated team of trustees, and Page 10 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 staff. The synergy of our committed team is what makes The Alice Cross Centre thrive and such a positive place to be. ## **5. Highlights** Impact of our Charitable Work in 2023-24 - **The food delivery team** served up 3,831 hot meals to a total of 42 homes in the area four days a week offering social contact and a welfare check by both the food courier and telephone booking volunteers. We also served 3536 meals in the centre, which includes lunch and Saturday Community Breakfast, plus the hot meals served at our Heat Cafés. - **Christmas Lunch** in December 2023 served 62 people a Christmas Meal plus 18 Volunteers. - The popular **Memory Café sessions** for people with dementia saw around 30 users per week, with carers also attending or taking time out knowing they don’t have to worry about their loved one for a while. - **The Heat Café** , designed to offer a cosy space during the colder months was run on two afternoons a week, offering simple food on a ‘pay-what-you-can-afford’ basis and layered with services such as energy advice and our digitals skills pop-in. This attracted up to 30 people per session. Heat Cafe Page 11 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 Christmas Day 2023 - **Saturday Community Breakfast** continued to thrive this year, attracting up to 35 diners per session. It is popular with families and the Park Runners. The homeless people in Teignmouth also rely on this service and we are proud that we have created an inclusive space for people to eat together. - Two-weekly **music groups** regularly attracted up to 15 people, run by local musicians and our own volunteers who perform and host the ever-popular singalongs. The musicians encourage the audience to participate. - A bi-monthly **bereavement support group** was attended by an average of 14 people. The group is run by experienced volunteers who are Cruse trained to provide bereavement support. It allows the attendees to share their feelings and emotions with people who are going through the same experience. We have many referrals from the local surgery for this group as NHS counselling takes so long to access and we have an excellent reputation for bereavement support. - Our weekly **Digital Skills Sessions** were used by a small group of over 65’s, up to 2 per week. - **Pilates and Zumba sessions** were hosted weekly. Subsidised by the Centre, they catered for over 50’s with 10 attending Pilates and up to 20 attending Zumba. Page 12 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 Zumba Gold - We have 4 **Yoga** classes a week for mixed abilities, with 52 people attending, run by an independent yoga teacher who hires our hall. - We have started a **Gentle Chair Exercise** group, which is attended by 8 people. - A subsidised **Table Tennis group** met weekly, all attendees being over 65 years. They paid £2 per session and the group regularly attracted up to 12 players. A group with additional needs have joined the group this year and get so much pleasure from playing table tennis and mixing with everybody that attends. - We secured funding for an Air Fryer course, with each attendee being given a recipe and ingredients to cook at home. The tutor demonstrated a variety of meals and tips for getting the best results using an Air Fryer. 102 people completed the 5 courses we ran. - Our **Art and Craft Group** ran weekly a month and was regularly attended by 10 people of mixed abilities including people with additional needs and their carers. ## Other Services The Centre continues to hold a regular podiatry clinic, and delivers counselling and holistic therapies, including massage and reiki through independent practitioners. We added a hairdressing service this year. We continue to support Teignmouth Community School’s (TCS) enrichment programme by providing cooking sessions and work experience for Year 10 and Year 13 students. We also host partner organisation Teign Aid who support people facing homelessness and with benefit queries. We have also welcomed the opportunity to meet with other local groups such as Teignbridge CVS, the Macular Society and the Rotary Club to increase awareness of our activities. Page 13 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 Our Weekly Timetable of Events and Activities ## Our year in numbers £189,463 Income £84,276 Grants 82 Volunteers Page 14 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 £24,127 525 Users Per Week 3472 Users Per Year Donations & Fundraising 23 Groups £57,925 Services ~~—|~~ e ~~o~~ 10 weekly Pilates attendees 3831 Meals delivered mg FS to 42 Households IN P™ 3616 meals in centre —on-@) 20 weekly Zumba 15 Themed events attendees 30 Memory cafe 52 weekly Yoga attendees attendees a” @ |E\ 6 Well-being walks Music —— |_| Counselling ~~=//=~~ 14 Grief Support attendees Digital Skills up to 2 clients per week. | Page 15 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 ## Events and Catering Income from Catering and Food Events this financial year was £46,777 and last financial year was £27,032. This improved financial performance has been achieved through a number of new or expanded activities including: - Special dinner nights - Catering at other special events such as the Eurovision Song Contest evening, and our popular Curry and Quiz nights - Cake sales - Frozen food sales - Catering for private events such as birthday parties, funeral wakes, wedding receptions and private dinners. Eurovision Night 2024 Taste of the Sea Page 16 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 VE Day Celebrations ## **6. Finances** For this financial year (FY), income was £189,463 (FY 2022-23 £133,009) and expenditure £205,010 (FY2022-23 £146,923). This means a deficit of £11,181 for the year. The Income and Expenditure account for the year shows that our income has again risen significantly this year, with grants, donations and income from services showing particularly healthy increases. The diagram below shows the contribution from our different sources of income. We have made some investment in our building and our salary costs have risen in line with government minimum wage rates, leading to a deficit for the year, although at a reduced level from the previous year. Use of the premises continues to increase with many regular classes and activities being held at the centre and lunches being served four days per week. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Sources of Income 2023-24
| Donations
11%
2% || Fundraising
31%
| Grants
|| Investments
|| Premises
11% 44%
1% | Services
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 17 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 However, levels of expenditure have increased across all categories, due to increases across the board in the cost of living, pay rises for staff, and significant increases in premises costs due to unexpected repairs and maintenance costs. Efforts to improve cost control will be a priority for the next F/Y. Total net assets on the Balance Sheet are £509,408. During the past two years we have made a significant investment in our building with a kitchen upgrade and a full refurbishment of the lift to the upper floors. The building was valued by an independent valuer on 30 June 2024. This resulted in a revaluation uplift of £252,820. As at 30 June 2024 the buildings are included on the balance sheet at a value of £375,000. The value of our investments has decreased by £6,361 to £85,163. Despite the continued cost of living challenges that we are all facing, the financial results continue to show a healthy balance sheet at the end of the financial year. However, we are seeing signs that the environment for securing grant funding is changing, and it is likely to become much harder to achieve our recent levels of grant funding. In addition to this, grant funding tends to be earmarked for specific services or investment in improving our premises. The Centre will need to find new sources of funding to cover our increased core running costs. ## **7. Case Studies and Testimonials.** Our Grief Support group meets every two weeks and provides a telephone counselling service, group sessions or the opportunity to meet 1 – 1 in a café. Here are some recent testimonia “Please can we have this group every week?” “I have mental health problems. I really didn’t want to come to this group and (yet) now I look forward to it!” “There are not many groups around. That is why this group is like gold dust.” Our meal delivery drivers do so much more than just deliver food: - Customer 1 – suffers from Fibromyalgia and depression. With some encouragement from she has attended our chair exercise class and has signed up to come to our Grief Support group. C also attends the exercise class and said the positive change in J’s demeanour was noticeable. - Customer 2 has cancer and suffers from muscle weakness which limits his mobility. He confided in us that he doesn’t do his exercises. Our delivery volunteer has encouraged him to do them to improve his quality of life and he has reported that she has “inspired him to start again.” - Customer 3 struggles with mobility and depression. He lives in an upstairs flat and finds it hard to get down the stairs. Our delivery volunteer has shown him different ways to approach getting down them, including coming down on his behind if his legs can’t adjust to getting down safely. She also gave him some easy goals like making his way to a bench in the grounds to sit in the sun. He reported that he had been out twice the day prior and was feeling elated. This demonstrates the positive outcomes that our meal delivery customers get from our service. As well as the initial welfare check from the phone team who ring weekly to take their orders (and become phone befrienders), customers get a second welfare check from the delivery person and as these cases demonstrate, they can support them to improve their quality of life. Page 18 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 ## **8. The Future** We have moved into the next stage of our Medium-Term Plan, though our priorities stay the same: - Identifying stable, long- and medium-term sources of funding and diversify income sources. - Increasing revenue from primary purpose commercial activities. - Minimising operating costs. - Maximising use of our facilities, in particular by making better use of our upper floor. - Increasing the number and diversity of users. - Increasing the numbers and skills sets of volunteers. - Widening the reach of the Centre for providing activities for new target audiences. - Improving data management and performance reporting. - Raising awareness of the Centre. - Increasing range and use of food options and revenue. - Identifying ways to assess impact. We have identified the following exciting **project** opportunities: - Increasing income by becoming more commercially focussed, including offering the use of space on the upper floor. - Establishing a database of information about our volunteers and users, which will allow us to serve these groups more effectively. - Improving data management and the content of our Annual Report to demonstrate our successes more effectively. - Introducing three new activities to attract a wider audience and make even better use of our facilities. - Increasing returns from our food offering through new initiatives. In this financial year we introduced the sale of frozen food and have increased the number of special dinners and catering for private events. The most pressing issue for us in the next financial year will be to focus on fund-raising efforts. We have been very successful this year in our grant funding applications. However, the environment seems to be changing, and we are now struggling to get sufficient funding to cover our core running costs. We will need to be very proactive in identifying new sources of funds from grants, partnerships, local businesses, fundraising activities, sponsorship and increasing uptake of our regular subscriptions initiative. ## **9. Thank you** Finally, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our donors, trustees, volunteers, staff and voluntary sector partners for the support you have given us during the year. Sincere thanks to the trusts, foundations and private individuals who prefer to remain anonymous for their support. If you would like to sponsor an activity or event at Alice Cross, please do get in touch. Popular choices are sponsoring our Allotment, Grief Support Group, Memory Café, Meal Delivery Service or printing our Annual Report. Page 19 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 ## **Supporters in 2023-2024 include:** 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust Age UK Devon Alastair Sutherland Alice Cross Centre Events & Fundraising Team Viscount Amory Charitable Trust Assist Teignbridge Blue Anchor Teignmouth Browne Jacobson Solicitors RS Brownless Charitable Trust Citizens Advice Bureau Co-op Community Fund Co-op Funeral Care Teignmouth Co-op Teignmouth (Matt Hooper and team) Cost of Living Fund (DCC) Cllr David Cox (DCC) Dawlish Community Transport Dawlish Rotary Club Devon Community Fund Mabel Cooper Charitable Trust Devon Highwaymen Bikers Devon Memory Café Consortium Diantha Coombes; Monday Music and more. Eric Crocker Elmgrant Trust FareShare Foyle Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation David Gibbons Foundation Greenwood Accountancy Ltd Growing Communities Fund (DCC) Cllr Andrew Henderson Neil Howell Marjorie and Geoffrey Jones Charitable Trust Edgar E Lawley Foundation Libraries Support Fund (DCC) Lottery, Awards for All Fund Lottery, Cost of Living Fund Matthews Wrightson Charity Trust Melissa Middleton, The Whistle Stop Cafe Clare Milne Foundation Mini Heaven Bakers Morrisons Teignmouth National Lottery Norman Family Charitable Trust Shaldon Bakery South West Water Teignbridge Community and Voluntary Services Teignmouth Dementia Action Alliance Teignbridge District Council Teignmouth Rotary Club Teignmouth Town Council Teignmouth Town Clerk Teignmouth and District u3a The Teigns - Monday Music and Fund Raising Tesco Newton Abbot Tesco Teignmouth Valencia Communities Fund Volunteer Evening Bar Team Cllr Cate Williams (DCC) Viv Wilson MBE Page 20 of 20 The Alice Cross Centre Annual Report 2023-2024 ere fof Company Registration Number 2338079 Charity Registration Number 800996 THE ALICE CROSS CENTRE FINANCIAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 l. Officers and Professional Advisers Trustees Mrs D Minett Mr D Hawkins Mrs S Halfyard Mr A Longford Ms S Holloway Secretary Ms Jacqueline O'Brien Registered Office 1 Bitton Park Road Teignmouth Devon TQ14 9BT Independent Examiner Greenwood Accountancy Ltd 5 & 7 Pellew Arcade Teign Street Teignmouth Devon TQ14 8EB Bankers Co-operative Bank PO Box250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6wr Solicitors Tozers Charity Department Broadwalk House Southernhay West Exeter Devon EX1 1 UA The Alice Cross CeJ7tre Financlal Report 2024 Pale 2 2 Trustees, Report The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their Report and Financial Statements for the year ended th 30 June 2024. The Accounts reflect the provisions of the Charities Acts 2002, 2006 and 2011 as well as those of various Companies Acts and Accounb'ng Stsndards. Reference and Administrative Information The Alice Cross Centre is a registered charity (No. 800996). The Charity is a Company limited by guarantee number 2338079, with members guaranteeing a sum not exceeding £1. By concession from the Registrar of Companies the word "Limited" can be dispensed with. It is govemed by a Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation dated 24th January 1989. th as amended 16 December 1993, 10" May 2005 and 24° November 2020. Its registered office is at: 1 Bitton Park Road, Teignmouth. Devon TQ14 9BT. Structure, Governance and Management Company law requires the Trustees. who are all Directors, to prepare Financial Ststements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the stste of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit ofthe Charity for that period. In preparing these Financial Statements the Trustees are required to.. Select suitable accounling policies and then apply them consistently. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. Prepare the Financial Statements on a going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hen￿ for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other iThegularities. Trustees and Administration Administration is vested in the committee of Trustees (Board of Trustees). Trustees are nomally appointed in general meeting. The Trustees who served during the year are as follows: Mrs S Halfyard Mr D Hawkins Mrs E Batson (resigned 13 May 2024) Mrs D Minett Mr A Longford (Chair) Ms S Holloway (appointed 13 November 2023) The present Trustees are all Directors of the Company. The Company s bankers are The c￿Operative Bank. Operational Issues 2.1.1 Objects The objects for which the charity is established are to promote and provide for the welfare of the elderly, to promote the provision of facilities for recreation, to preserve and protect the health of people and promote social inclusion within the area of Teignmouth and the Su￿ound1ng area. The Company s The AIKe Cross Centre Financlal Report 2024 Page 3 funds may be invested in any investment. securty. or property at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of these objectives. 2.1.2 Activities The principal activity of the Charity is to provide. manage and maintain a communty centre, the Alice Cross Centre, for the promotion of well-being amongst the community of Teignmouth, Shaldon and District. During the year. the Trustees have continued to fulfil this objective and the centre has been open daily. Readers are referred to the Centre manager's report for details of activities during the year. Financial Issues 2.1.3 Reserves Policy The Trustees recommend thal the level of reserves should represent circa 1&months' regular expenditure, approximately £141,000. This is intended to cover the following areas: Ca itsl Fund. This comprises the capital investrnents of the Charity. It is a restricted fund solely for the purpose of maintaining and improving the Charity's premises and facilities, where costs exceed £10,000 per year. A review of our activities has suggested that an investment in modemising the intemal structure of the Alice Cross Centre would be more in line with our new strategy and offer potential for increased revenue. General Fund. The General Fund is a working reserve to ensure that the Charity is able to continue its obligations in the event of a shortfall in income or a sudden uptum in expenditure. Desi nated Funds. From time to time these are created for specific refurbishment and infrastructure projects. The Trustees are satisfied that the Charity's assets are sufficient to meet its ongoing obligations for the coming year. The level of reserves held has been reviewed by the Trustees who are of the opinion that they are at an appropriate level relevant to the ongoing financial needs of the Charity. The Investment Policy implemented three years ago has been reviewed and changed in accordance with suggestions from Charles Stanley. the Charity's investment fund managers. 2.1.4 Voluntary Help and Donations in Kind In addition to paid staff, the Charty depends on unpaid voluntary help to continue in its present fom. For the purpose of these accounts. no value has been attached to this voluntary help nor to any donations in kind. 2.1.5 Accounts The full accounts are shown in section 5. The Income and Expenditure section of the accounts shows a defictt of £11,181 for the year. Total net assets on the Balance Sheet are £256.588 which indudes £4,731 of restricted funds. A separate breakdown of restricted funds is shown in Annex 5 to the accounts. The value of our investments has decreased by £6,361 to £85.163. Fixed asset movements are shown in Annex 1 to the accounts. During the past two years we have made a significant investment in the buildings with a kitchen upgrade and a full refurbishment of the lift to the upper floors. The Alice Cross Centre Financial Report 2024 Pa8e 4 3 Treasurer's Report The continued cost of living challenges that we are all facing. have somewhat impacted on the financial results. We continue to show a reasonably healthy balance sheet at the end of the financial year. despite there being an overall deficit in our trading accounts. The Income & Expenditure account for the year shows that our income has again risen significantly this year, with grants, donations and ser+/ices showing particularly healthy increases. We have made some investment in our building and our salary costs have risen in line with government minimum wage rates, leading to a deficit for the year. although at a reduced level from the previous year. Use of the premises continues to increase with many regular classes and activities being held at the centre and lunches being served four days per week. We are aware that people are facing difficult times and it is important that we continue to provide help and support to the people in our community. To this end we will continue to apply for grants whenever possible and are confident that these and other sources of income coupled with a strong balance sheet will enable us to continue to provide support to our local community. The Trustees are grateful for all the grants re￿iVed to date and the help we receive from our volunteers. We continue to review the financial position of the Charity on a regular basis and will do so going forward. Treasurer 1 Bitton Park Road Teignmouth Devon TQ14 9BT The AIKe Cross cent￿ Financial Report 2024 Paee 5 4 Independent Examiner's Report The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 or the Companies Act 1985 and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1495)(b) of the Act, and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention I have carried out an independent examination of the tx)oks of this Company. They appear to have been correctly maintained and l am of the opinion that this Balance Sheet, and the supporting Income and Expenditure Account, reflect a fair and accurate record of the Company's position in the financial year ended 301h June 2024. David Rudall Greenwood Accountancy Ltd 5 & 7 Pellew Arcade Teign Street Teignmouth Devon TQ14 8EB The AIKe Cfoss C¢nty¢ Financial Report 2024 Pa8e 6 5 Year End Accounts THE ALICE CROSS CENTRE Accounts for Year Ended 30 June 2024 BALANCE SHEET 202312024 202212023 Component Notes: FiKed Assets: Tangible Assets Investments 128,678 85,163 129.083 91,903 Annex I Annex 2 213,841 220,986 Current Asset5: Bank Accounts Cash Debtors Annex 3 41,622 1,426 3,479 38,340 350 9,967 Annex 4 46,527 48,657 Current Liabilities: Creditors & Accruals 13,7801 11.8741 Annex 4 (3.780) (1,8741 Net Current Assets: 42,747 46,783 NET ASSErs 256.588 267,769 CAPITAL & RESERVES Endowments Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 4,731 251.857 13,656 254,113 Annex 5 TOTAL CAPITAL 256.588 267,769 For the year ending 30 June 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act. The Members have not required the Company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 ofthe Companies Art 2006. The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to small companies, regime. SIGNED BY: Trustee: Andrew Longford Date: Treasurer: Date: l o Checked a5 correct by: Examiner: Greenwood Accountancy Ltd The AIKe Cross cent￿ Financial Report 2024 Page 7 THE ALICE CROSS CENTRE Accounts for Year Ended 30 June 2024 INCOME & EXPENDITURE 2023IZ024 202212023 Component Notes: Total Unrestrlded Total Unrestrkted Restrlrted Income- Buslness Genefal 250 250 Donatlons 19,980 4,147 84,276 2.75S 20,380 57,925 189.463 19,524 4.037 82,604 2.755 20.380 S6,750 186,050 456 35.187 31,417 9,561 24.4CiJ 3,713 19.116 31.290 119.747 3.770 995 Fundralsin8 Grants iio 10,556 32.260 3,713 19.116 31.927 133.LK)9 1,672 7,860 Dlvklend Inc¢me Premlses Servl¢es 1.175 3,413 637 TOTAL INCOME 13,262 Expendlture: Buslness 159.202 233 134.105 233 25.097 122,970 628 32,466 Fundralslni Premlses 628 15.921 29.654 15.921 29,654 3,807 19.518 3.807 18.416 Serylces Sundry EXPENDITURE Re5trlrtion adjustment TOTAL EXPENDITURE 1.102 205.010 179.913 25.097 146.923 113.355 33.568 112,7591 12.759 16.8111 6.811 205.010 167.154 37,856 146.923 106.544 40.379 I&E IDEFICITII 5URPIU5 FOR THE YEAR Cash Balance adjustment GROSS I&E IDEFicm SURPLUS 115,5471 18,896 134.4431 113.914) 13203 127.1171 115.5471 18.896 134.443) 113.9141 13.203 127.1171 P&L Ad}ustments Depreci8tion of Fixed A55ets 13,8941 13,4651 Change Sn Value of Investments 8.260 13.3251 TOTAL {6,790) NET PROFIT & LOSS 111,1811 {20.704) CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE Direct Charitable Expenditure Fundraising costs 196,818 96.0% 140.147 95.4% 8,192 6.776 4.6% IE-I TOTAL 205.010 146.923 The Alice Cros5 Centre Financial Report 2024 Pa8e 8 THE ALICE CROSS CENTRE Accounts for Year Ended 30 June 2024 Annexl: FIXED ASSETS - RECONCILIATION 202312024 202V2023 Component ASSET VALUES Asset valLFes at end of prevlous FY New assets in current FY Revaluation uplift TOTAL ASSETS Belore depieclatlon DEPRECIATION 129,083 3.489 123.643 8.906 132.572 132.549 Previous FY assets 13.5901 13,0451 New assets in current FY 13041 14211 TOTAL DEPRECIATION OF ASSETS 13,8941 128,678 13,4661 129.083 TOTAL ASSET VALUES CIF Annex 2: INVESTMENTS- RECONCIUATION 202312024 202212024 Openlng Holdlngs Value of Investments BIF Capital Accounts BIF Income Account BIF TOTAL Investment Portlolio BIF 91.524 108.939 577 379 712 91.903 110.228 Chanies Sale of investments durin8 yeaf Gain/Loss on sales Purchase of investments during the year Change in portfolio value on new purchases Change in value of remaining investments Chan8e In value of Investments 121.4531 1.190 124.9451 14791 9,945 4,957 11071 12,4061 17.8971 117.9921 Chan8e in Capital Account Change in Income Account 171 13331 Closlng holdlngs Value of Investments CIF Capital Account CIF Income Account CIF TOTAL Investment Portfolio CIF 83,627 986 91,524 550 379 85.163 91,903 The AIKe Cros5 Centre Financial Report 2024 Pa8e 9 Annex 3: WH- RECONCILIATION 202312024 202212023 Openln8 Balances Cash in Hand 350 742 Bank Account 38.340 61,336 TOTAL BALANCE 8IF 38.690 62.078 Sale of Investments 15,C#XJ 15.1KJO Income 189,463 133,1N)9 Current Year Change in Debtors Net Income 6.488 19.9671 210,951 138.042 Expendituies Current Year change in Actrua15 Net Expendlture Purchase of Fixed Assets 205.010 146.923 11,9061 5,Ed)I 203.104 3.489 43,048 152,524 TOTAL BALANCE CIF 38,690 Closln8 Balances Cash in Hand 1,426 41.622 350 ice Cross 38,340 TOTAL BALANCE CIF 38.690 Annex 4: BALANCE- RECONauAnON 202312024 202212023 Cornponent Notes: Prevlous Year Funds: Fund Balance BIF Plus creditors previous year Less debtors previous year Prevlous Year Totsl 267,769 1.874 288.473 7,476 19,9671 259.676 295.949 Current Year Fund Chan8es: Fixed Assets 14051 {6.740) 4,358 Investments 118.3251 123.3881 Bank and Cash Balances Total Fund Charyes 127871 136,2731 Fund Balance CIF 259.676 Plus debtors 3,479 13.7801 256.588 9.%7 11.8741 267,769 Less credFtors Net Balante Re¢onclllatlon NET ASSETS ON BALANCE SHEEr 256.588 267,769 The Alice Cross Centre Flnartcial Report 2024 Page 10 Annex 5: RESTRICTED FUND SUMMARY Brought Fonward Balance from unrestrlcted New Spend X-charye Resldual Fund Memorycafe 13.656 1,789 7,436 4,731 Young Onset Xmas day fund Pathway to Health Grief Svpport Heat Cafe 3.113 1.078 14,794 12,759 Devon Community Foundatio ALL FUNDS 13.656 3.413 2.867 22.230 12,759 4,731 Unrestricted funds include a 8rant of £IO,CW from the Foyle Foundation for which we are very grateful. Annex 6: NOTES TO ACCOUNTS TRUSTEES, EMOLUMENTS: In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Trustees receive no salary, fees or remuneration. TAXATION: No provision for taxation is considered necessary in view of the registered charity status. EMPLOYEES INFORMATION.. The avera8e number of persons employed by the Charity durin8 the year was . The total employment costs {Wages, Salaries + Social Security Costsl were 202312024 202212023 202312024 É102.901 202212023 £96,199 IE-I CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE: Fundraising expenditure is defined as the sum of fund-raising costs and 5% of business costs The AIKe CfOSS Centre Financial Report 2024 Page 11 6 Accounting Policies These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance wtth the requirements of the Companies Act and also the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting by Charities. Basis of Accounting The Financial Statements have been produced under the historical cost convention. A cash flow statement is not required in view of the size of the Charity. Depreciation Depreciation is charged on Freehold Propety at the rate of 1 % per annum using the reducing balance method. For fixtures and fittings. we are implementing the following: expensing items costing £500 or less, applying a straight-line method for computer hardware costing more than £500 over 3 years, applying a straight-line method for other items costing over £500 over 5 years. Investment Income Income from quoted investments is stated gross. Investments are valued at market value in the balance sheet. Reserves The entity's reserves may be restricted or unrestricted. Recognition of Income and Expenses The accounts are prepared on the accruals basis. Income and expenses are recognised on the date of the transaction. The Al￿e Cross Centre FinarKial Rep)rt 2024 Page 12 4 Independent Examiner's Report The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 or the Companies Act 1985 and that an independent examination is needed. , It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention I have carried out an independent examination of the books of this Company. They appear to have been correctly maintained and l am of the opinion that this Balance Sheet. and the supporting Income and Expenditure Account, reflect a fair and accurate record of the Company's position in the financial year ended 30th June 2024. David Rudall Greenwood Accountancy Ltd 5 & 7 Pellew Arcade Teign Street Teignmouth Devon TQ14 8EB The Alite Cross Centre Fi￿ntIal Report 2024 Page 6